The reasons went beyond the medication he took after having knee replacement surgery and surprisingly becoming the Lakers head coach over Phil Jackson.

D'Antoni would reunite with point guard Steve Nash, a partnership the Lakers coach described in his introductory news conference in November as a "match made in heaven." That's because D'Antoni coached Nash through four seasons with the Phoenix Suns that resulted in two league MVP awards and playoff appearances each year.

He hardly predicted Nash missing 24 games because of a fractured left leg, let alone the Lakers clawing for a playoff spot. But this one tops it all.

The Lakers (20-25) enter tonight's game against the Phoenix Suns (15-30) with a three-game winning streak partly because Nash suddenly has taken the scoring mantle. Not a bad idea for someone who's shot 49.1 percent from the field in his 17-year career, including 42.8 percent from 3-point range.

"He's one of the greatest shooters of all time," Kobe Bryant said of Nash. "He's a `no-leave' guy. If they do leave him, God bless them."

During the past three games, Nash has posted nearly twice as many shots (27) as assists (12) while averaging 14.6 points per contest. In a season where plenty of his teammates have complained about touches and minutes, Nash won't gripe about his drop in assists.

"It is a big difference and big change," Nash said. "For me, I want to do whatever I can to help this team be a good team. I welcome this. We're so much better this way regardless of how many opportunities I get to make plays."

When Nash faces his former team for the first time since mutually parting ways this offseason, that storyline provides an added reminder on how his role with Phoenix played out differently. Nash led the league in assists six times in the past eight seasons.

"A lot of times it would've been better in Phoenix if we had him off the ball some, but it was so good the other way," D'Antoni said. "We never messed with it."

That's hardly been the case with the Lakers.

Clippers forward Grant Hill, who played the first of his five seasons in Phoenix with Nash and D'Antoni, said it took him only two or three weeks to understand the fast-paced offense. It took the Lakers longer. They struggled adapting to the quicker pace but hoped Nash's eventual return would solve everything.

Frustration still mounted. Bryant, Dwight Howard and Pau Gasol have preferred playing at a methodical pace. Meanwhile, the losing persisted.

"Steve hasn't really shared what's going on with us," Hill said. "But I'm sure for him because I know him, he wants nothing more than to make it work."

Nash has done that by balancing loyalties.

He holds D'Antoni's belief that the "ball finds energy" and teammates should remain open to adjusting their roles. Meanwhile, Nash has expressed openness in trying to feature his teammates in more comfortable spots on the floor.

"I try to help Mike impart what he wants us to do," Nash said. "This isn't purely Mike's system. We're somewhere out there trying to find the best way to play. But as a point guard, I'm definitely trying to take it all on and see how I can help my teammates make the game easier and more cohesive."

Nash has fulfilled that job description, leaving the Lakers and D'Antoni giddy over the possibilities. Few would predict it working out this way, though.